General Discussion

Jim Lane

(11,175 posts)

170. That's no reason to fear primaries.

Sun Nov 18, 2018, 06:34 PM

Nov 2018

If some "outside agitator" (that well-established epithet favored by entrenched power structures) supports a primary candidate who's not in step with the district, then that candidate will lose the primary. The Democrat who emerges as the winner will look more conservative by comparison, for having fended off the socialist challenge.

There's no way that an expression of opinion by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will "hijack" a primary, which is one of the silly charges lodged in this thread. She's not trying to override the choice of local electorate. By encouraging more candidates to run, she's trying to expand the range of choices available in each of those diverse districts.

What happens when a progressive woman challenges a more conservative male Democratic incumbent? In NY-14, she wins (Ocasio-Cortez over Crowley). In West Virginia, she loses (Manchin over Swearengin). I'm just not seeing any valid reason to consider this system a problem. The only problem is that primaries will sometimes produce a result you don't like, but you just have to live with that.

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Ocasio-Cortez backs campaign to primary fellow Democrats [View all] DonViejo Nov 2018 OP

Yes and no manor321 Nov 2018 #1

Wel, they CLAIM they won't do what you want. Hortensis Nov 2018 #15

We can start with the 16 DINOs that signed the anti-Pelosi letter, Dems internal shit-stirrers. TheBlackAdder Nov 2018 #245

How to Win Friends and Influence People dalton99a Nov 2018 #2

STOP USING RW SOURCES TO TELL US WHAT WE THINK. THEY WANT US TO FIGHT. bitterross Nov 2018 #87

From the article upon which it appears The Hill's article is based: George II Nov 2018 #92

Why are you addressing that to dalton? Cha Nov 2018 #148

Because it was the best way to get it at the top of the thread. /nt bitterross Nov 2018 #171

The OP is quoting AOC.. too bad you don't like it. Cha Nov 2018 #174

Too bad we spend so much time fighting one another and not the GOP. bitterross Nov 2018 #197

Yeah, too bad she's talking about primarying Dems and Cha Nov 2018 #202

How would you recommend a Democrat primary a Republican?? disillusioned73 Nov 2018 #241

Campaign Against Fascist Fucks.. Cha Nov 2018 #243

More like AOC has a lot to teach... love her! InAbLuEsTaTe Nov 2018 #252

Is that why her district sent her to congress? oasis Nov 2018 #3

According to Roll Call, 5% of her district voted Hortensis Nov 2018 #19

I thought Rep. Cynthia McKinney of Georgia was quite a firebrand. Her oasis Nov 2018 #27

:) Yes. A strong personality. Hortensis Nov 2018 #82

She needs to stop the national spotlighting and focus on her OWN district. Or they'll toss her. LBM20 Nov 2018 #64

:) Yes. Can she is what we're waiting to see, of course. Hortensis Nov 2018 #85

It was to send a message... the real question is whether it's been received. InAbLuEsTaTe Nov 2018 #253

. Stinky The Clown Nov 2018 #4

As I said before, she is in for a rude awakening. GoCubsGo Nov 2018 #5

To me, she behaves like she's serving on the Student Governance Board of some college. DonViejo Nov 2018 #7

She isn't going to do her job for her district -- she thinks that THIS is her job despite the scanty elfin Nov 2018 #29

No. She's y9ung and naive. GoCubsGo Nov 2018 #37

Exactly. The default position is always running against other R B Garr Nov 2018 #120

I have no doubt that AOC will be primaried in 2020 Gothmog Nov 2018 #109

Yep, seems she thinks she's immune to being primaried herself. brush Nov 2018 #162

Primaries work both ways Gothmog Nov 2018 #222

I agree and her district will expect her to work on their behalf...not sure getting involved with Demsrule86 Nov 2018 #192

Did anybody she endorsed and campaigned octoberlib Nov 2018 #6

There were some. Kaleva Nov 2018 #11

Not to seem critical of Tlaib, she's going to be a great Representative and do her district proud George II Nov 2018 #49

Rashida Tlaib won a squeaker in the primary and AOC's prior endorsement may have helped Kaleva Nov 2018 #90

I really don't think AOC made a bleep in the local radar... Basement Beat Nov 2018 #117

And Ayanna Pressley (D-MA). Eric J in MN Nov 2018 #167

And Ilhan Omar (D-MN). Eric J in MN Nov 2018 #172

October, if she wants money out of politics, she really Hortensis Nov 2018 #23

"Or is she doomed to be a lifelong dissident like Sanders?" Stinky The Clown Nov 2018 #28

Agree, she may disappear into another career as most do. BUT, Hortensis Nov 2018 #46

Not in the House with their 2-year terms. She could be out before she learns the ropes. brush Nov 2018 #165

I don't know about candidates that she endorsed personally, but her organization... George II Nov 2018 #53

Well, that says a lot. Hopefully the Dems will move on without her if she doesn't come around Thekaspervote Nov 2018 #86

Justice Democrats is backed by that cenk character on TYT Gothmog Nov 2018 #111

She campaigned agaisnt Sharice Davids and lost badly Gothmog Nov 2018 #110

And Christine Whitmer and Lacy Clay in their primaries, too. All three won their primaries... George II Nov 2018 #132

These were very poor choices on the part of AOC Gothmog Nov 2018 #135

Hi George.. Cha Nov 2018 #152

That act alone bothered me quite a bit. nini Nov 2018 #144

Sharice Davids looks like she will be a star in the new Congress Gothmog Nov 2018 #225

AOC campaigned against Sharice Davids, Gretchen Cha Nov 2018 #186

United has to fall or we will lose the house again...you need money to run. Demsrule86 Nov 2018 #198

Meanwhile, our caucus plans public financing of elections. Hortensis Nov 2018 #8

Exactly. But you know we're gonna get people defending this shit. JHan Nov 2018 #14

Yes! That was the end of my support for her Thekaspervote Nov 2018 #88

stunt is a curious term Celerity Nov 2018 #145

But I am not arguing that Welder should not have run. JHan Nov 2018 #153

I can point to 4 positions on big issues where they differed (Welder and Davids) Celerity Nov 2018 #194

Once more there's nothing wrong with a policy disagreement... JHan Nov 2018 #208

Discussion/disagreement worth reading. Thanks, Hortensis Nov 2018 #239

Sharice Davids' primary was among six candidates. She actually got 10% more voted than George II Nov 2018 #181

I think she will be a good Rep too, but please, the 10% above number is entirely Celerity Nov 2018 #203

Mahalo, Hortensis! Cha Nov 2018 #235

So she is going to start making enemies five minutes after getting there? Does she not realize she RelativelyJones Nov 2018 #9

She needs to spend more time learning her job and less time threatening others Siwsan Nov 2018 #10

So your arguement is that we shouldn't have primaries? Kaleva Nov 2018 #12

No - that's not what I mean Siwsan Nov 2018 #13

People in other states and districts can determine for themselves who they want to represent them, still_one Nov 2018 #18

And I was just expressing my view, in general Siwsan Nov 2018 #25

My comment didn't disagree with your point of view still_one Nov 2018 #34

I realized that, after I posted!! Sorry!!! Siwsan Nov 2018 #35

Nothing to apologize for. There are going to be disagreements in discussions here, and that is a still_one Nov 2018 #47

We most definitely think alike Siwsan Nov 2018 #60

Who determines who is ineffectual? Nanjeanne Nov 2018 #102

I'm confused as to why this is an "argument". Siwsan Nov 2018 #108

"Argument"? Did someone say you couldn't have an opinion? I just gave mine as to why I think Nanjeanne Nov 2018 #112

We might just be miscommunicating Siwsan Nov 2018 #119

AOC is young and inexperienced. But she has passion and brains and she is going to be a wonderful Nanjeanne Nov 2018 #146

I am hoping she proves to be as you say Siwsan Nov 2018 #150

The danger in that is giving up the advantages of incumbency... brush Nov 2018 #16

It's November 2018. The next round of primary campaigns will begin in the spring of 2020.... George II Nov 2018 #134

First on the list is to primary any Democrat who makes it a priority to primary grantcart Nov 2018 #157

Let go ego AO meluvrem Nov 2018 #21

I wonder what her committee assignment will be? Gothmog Nov 2018 #113

That will be interesting Siwsan Nov 2018 #122

Of course this is from The Hill trying to stir up sh*t between Democrats. As far as representative still_one Nov 2018 #17

So, throwing her weight behind this movement is not to be reported upon and discussed? DonViejo Nov 2018 #20

Where did I say anything against NOT posting this OP? My comment was directed at The Hill, which still_one Nov 2018 #40

Sorry if you don't like it but, that's the the implication of your whining about The Hill. DonViejo Nov 2018 #48

I am stating my view about The Hill Don. Sorry that you are taking this personally. I feel the still_one Nov 2018 #63

Hopefully AOC realizes that she too will be an incumbent during the next midterm primary elections. lapucelle Nov 2018 #41

I have no doubt she will be primaried...careful what you wish for... Demsrule86 Nov 2018 #76

She needs to be careful. kstewart33 Nov 2018 #149

If I remember correctly.... DFW Nov 2018 #22

*sigh* ismnotwasm Nov 2018 #24

I'd call this democracy in action. shanny Nov 2018 #26

What's even better is running against repug incumbents. Duh! brush Nov 2018 #183

"Democrats deemed to be ideologically and demographically out of step with their districts." Tom Rinaldo Nov 2018 #30

again, why is she the arbiter of what that is? She has her district to contend with, JHan Nov 2018 #32

She has her opinions, that doesn't make her the arbiter Tom Rinaldo Nov 2018 #39

is Bill Clinton the subject here? We're talking about Cortez. JHan Nov 2018 #42

The subject is trying to move the Democratic Party in one direction or another Tom Rinaldo Nov 2018 #44

so it is acceptable for a freshman to congress to make primary threats... JHan Nov 2018 #50

Clay and Davis didn't support Bernie in 2016, their comradebillyboy Nov 2018 #68

Thank you for pointing out the absurd double standard here. Jim Lane Nov 2018 #89

+1. Skewed infighting is a popular sport. JudyM Nov 2018 #96

Are other Democrats proposing to actively unseat Democratic incumbants outside their districts? Small-Axe Nov 2018 #99

Your choice of words is amusing and instructive. Jim Lane Nov 2018 #163

I'm pretty sure we do not agree on the meaning of the term "progressive." Small-Axe Nov 2018 #175

You have completely misunderstood my post. Jim Lane Nov 2018 #178

I doubt we agree on who is conservative, liberal, or progressive. Small-Axe Nov 2018 #187

You've added another revealing phrase Jim Lane Nov 2018 #236

Oooh, "revealing phrases." Oh my. Small-Axe Nov 2018 #237

The Democratic Party is different in the midwest or southwest than it is in the northeast... George II Nov 2018 #158

I pretty much agree with you Tom Rinaldo Nov 2018 #166

According to Saikat Chakrabart, co-founder of Justice Democrats and Cortez' co-board member.... George II Nov 2018 #185

That's no reason to fear primaries. Jim Lane Nov 2018 #170

Meanwhile it just drives up the costs and empties the coffers of incumbent Democrats... Small-Axe Nov 2018 #213

Bill was a successful governor, his DLC activism radius777 Nov 2018 #124

Thanks radius I was going to mention that but the convo isn't about him and you're right. JHan Nov 2018 #238

All senators and congresspeople represent their districts. So pwb Nov 2018 #100

No that is not what I said. JHan Nov 2018 #101

If they are paid for by big energy or pharmaceutical money why not speak up against them? pwb Nov 2018 #103

Let's get some things out of the way because the spin y'all are coming with is lol worthy. JHan Nov 2018 #104

She won by taking no corporate money. pwb Nov 2018 #105

Yes, the DNC fossil reversal rule .. JHan Nov 2018 #106

We got the blue wave because we fielded moderates who could win red-leaning districts. LBM20 Nov 2018 #57

She is right. Anyone that ignores our core principles and sit in the pocket of big money is not on Blue_true Nov 2018 #31

Which Democrats "sit in the pocket of big money" and "ignore the party's core principles"? N/T lapucelle Nov 2018 #36

Exactly, lapucelle. Who's she accusing? Cha Nov 2018 #201

Mahalo Cha! Enjoy Pink Floyd as you await the apocryphal list of "suspect Democrats". lapucelle Nov 2018 #207

I despise Cent and his Justice group...ticket to the minority...aren't these folks tired yet of Demsrule86 Nov 2018 #78

I also do not like Cenk and the Justice Democrats Gothmog Nov 2018 #114

She was involved in primarying a sitting senator in Maryland I believe... she might face Demsrule86 Nov 2018 #191

,,, lapucelle Nov 2018 #136

Does that include primarying the Democratic incumbent from NY-14 in 2020? N/T lapucelle Nov 2018 #33

Justice Democrats are the Tea Party of the left comradebillyboy Nov 2018 #38

"Ocasio-Cortez backs campaign to primary people like herself" lapucelle Nov 2018 #43

well that's the irony. No one yet has spun this in a way which makes any damn sense JHan Nov 2018 #58

It's going to be a long two years with The Hill stoking their nonsense. N/T lapucelle Nov 2018 #67

And Joseph Crowley will STILL the the Queens County Democratic Party Chairman. George II Nov 2018 #142

Good, championing moving to the left will balance those who would drag us to the right. Magoo48 Nov 2018 #45

No one is dragging us to the right.We must be the party of MIDDLE America too because LBM20 Nov 2018 #62

Yes, Magoo48 Nov 2018 #249

Who is "dragging us to the right?" (nt) ehrnst Nov 2018 #242

Crickets... ehrnst Nov 2018 #244

Sorry, had to attend to business. Magoo48 Nov 2018 #248

"I'm not going to list their names, because they're easily accessible." betsuni Nov 2018 #255

Still can't or won't give the names of those you claim are "dragging us to the right." ehrnst Nov 2018 #256

OK, I'll play your game. I googled the most progressive house members and their donors ehrnst Nov 2018 #257

My contention remains Magoo48 Nov 2018 #259

But you still can't back up your claim about Dems "dragging us to the right" ehrnst Nov 2018 #261

Talking points: betsuni Nov 2018 #246

Come on Alexandria. Don't go Tea Party on us. Norbert Nov 2018 #51

Cortez needs to learn the ropes and focus on the needs of her own district. LBM20 Nov 2018 #52

I'd rather see this kind of energy and effort spent trying to DEFEAT REPUBLICANS instead. NurseJackie Nov 2018 #54

I Must Confess I'm Worn Out With Her Already Me. Nov 2018 #65

That's exactly the idea. Can't understand why that is so efn hard for some to grasp. brush Nov 2018 #195

she energizes young people and that's important AlexSFCA Nov 2018 #55

She needs to focus on her OWN district or they may well toss her out in two years. LBM20 Nov 2018 #59

Maybe if she energized young people to oppose Republicans comradebillyboy Nov 2018 #69

I see no evidence of that. Demsrule86 Nov 2018 #81

She's right about this. I'm sure there will be push back from powerful, monied interests. jalan48 Nov 2018 #56

Moderates largely fueled the blue wave winning seats held by Republicans. She needs to focus on her LBM20 Nov 2018 #61

+1 octoberlib Nov 2018 #118

Not really. The republicans are loving thjs nini Nov 2018 #70

Fox 5 at 5 said they are loving this. Love it so much they called it 'REPUBLICAN PORN'! empedocles Nov 2018 #77

Yep... makes me crazy nini Nov 2018 #79

What does wanting to get big money out of our elections have to do with dividing from within? jalan48 Nov 2018 #80

It's not quite that simple nini Nov 2018 #93

You could be right. It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next two years. jalan48 Nov 2018 #94

Here's where her money came from. lapucelle Nov 2018 #206

It has nothing to do with "monied interests". George II Nov 2018 #160

Right-that's believable. jalan48 Nov 2018 #231

Thanks. Glad you agree.... George II Nov 2018 #234

Any member who is still on the fence about climate change ought to be considered for replacement eleny Nov 2018 #66

The last thing we need is a Democratic liberal tea party wing YessirAtsaFact Nov 2018 #71

Surely she understands treestar Nov 2018 #72

Good. By the way that's how she got elected. Voltaire2 Nov 2018 #73

Better to swap-in Democrats for Republicans (instead of Democrat for Democrat)... NurseJackie Nov 2018 #74

Er no it makes a party a democratic institution Voltaire2 Nov 2018 #131

... NurseJackie Nov 2018 #140

For example, Ocasio-Cortez's primary campaign. Voltaire2 Nov 2018 #229

%%%%% NurseJackie Nov 2018 #230

The tea party of the democratic party. redstatebluegirl Nov 2018 #75

STOP USING RW SOURCES TO TELL US WHAT WE THINK. THEY WANT US TO FIGHT. bitterross Nov 2018 #83

Unafraid Power 2 the People Nov 2018 #84

The link is to a different article. George II Nov 2018 #91

That it does--it's a Politco article ismnotwasm Nov 2018 #95

Thank God that didn't work in West Virginia Polybius Nov 2018 #97

And the primary is exactly where we should be having these fights. In fact, I've seen posters JCanete Nov 2018 #98

it isn't the spirited primary or discussion that is the problem, it is after the primary those still_one Nov 2018 #107

Joe Manchin WAS in a "spirited primary", he wound up winning 69.9% to 30.1%. He was chosen.... George II Nov 2018 #164

no...its big money. You know that too. And there were enough voices here at the time suggesting JCanete Nov 2018 #173

Please stop that "you know that" stuff, it's not true and is offensive. Thanks! George II Nov 2018 #182

you don't know that? I thought suggesting that would be more offensive. nt JCanete Nov 2018 #184

"Big money" didn't win his primary or his general election. People like to think that.... George II Nov 2018 #189

do you know who his donors are? Big Money puts you on the map and easily buries your potential JCanete Nov 2018 #190

Also, we have issues iwth those things because they literally buy our government. Please for the JCanete Nov 2018 #193

Does anyone want to predict her committee assignment? Gothmog Nov 2018 #115

AOC, Cenk and others on the populist left radius777 Nov 2018 #116

If you want to know why the rich keep getting richer JonLP24 Nov 2018 #121

No. California is as liberal as it gets and those vapid talking R B Garr Nov 2018 #123

No I'm not implying many of them are corrupt JonLP24 Nov 2018 #129

I'm not going to read a bunch of Wiki type excuses R B Garr Nov 2018 #139

He's an economist who knows what he is talking about JonLP24 Nov 2018 #143

Making Amazon the focus just shows it's about Bernie, R B Garr Nov 2018 #147

'Being right is meaningless' melman Nov 2018 #151

I'm phone typing so I didn't bother with the obvious R B Garr Nov 2018 #154

There was a long thread where AOC was ripped JonLP24 Nov 2018 #156

LOL, then why doesn't AOC convince Bernie to quit using Amazon? R B Garr Nov 2018 #212

The people calling out the Amazon deal JonLP24 Nov 2018 #232

Like I said, the obsession over Amazon is about Bernie, or you R B Garr Nov 2018 #233

Cleveland not signing Lebron will bankrupt them radius777 Nov 2018 #155

If your city's economy depends on a millionaire then your city has problems JonLP24 Nov 2018 #168

Gillum seemed to bring the wings together, radius777 Nov 2018 #204

Exactly. Looks like the turnout proves that voters want to win, R B Garr Nov 2018 #125

What misconsception, and how do you think political opinions are formed anyway? It takes a JCanete Nov 2018 #179

AOC is even seated yet and I'm sick of her NastyRiffraff Nov 2018 #126

AOC says since she doesn't take PAC money like the others, she only speaks for her constituents Stellar Nov 2018 #247

If AOCdoes not work with her fellow House members, she will not be effective Gothmog Nov 2018 #127

Hmmmm, she will be an incumbent in 2020. What comes around goes around perhaps still_one Nov 2018 #128

This message was self-deleted by its author RandySF Nov 2018 #130

In the sales business, they were called Prima Donnas. libdem4life Nov 2018 #133

I can think of one Dem who will probably be primaried in 2020: AOC. nt JustABozoOnThisBus Nov 2018 #137

PLEASE STOP QUOTING THE HILL- rightwing owner sharedvalues Nov 2018 #138

Wouldn't it make more sense to try to flip (R) seats to (D)? Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Nov 2018 #141

I'm amazed every day to hear the vitriol spewed toward this young woman Bettie Nov 2018 #159

That's not it nini Nov 2018 #169

I'm so sorry that you simply don't get it. Stinky The Clown Nov 2018 #176

His age and gender are not the issue, Bettie, and "vitriol" is not being spewed her way by us... Hekate Nov 2018 #188

Thank you. sheshe2 Nov 2018 #196

Good Advice, Hekate! Cha Nov 2018 #211

No, you don't get it at all. Cha Nov 2018 #210

People seem very angry that she won that primary Bettie Nov 2018 #214

No, that's not it.. you just go around putting Cha Nov 2018 #215

Right...as if I haven't read the MANY Bettie Nov 2018 #216

AOC campaigned against Sharice Davids, Gretchen Cha Nov 2018 #217

IN the primaries Bettie Nov 2018 #218

Yes, AOC LOST Against Excellent Progressive DEMS. Cha Nov 2018 #219

She wasn't running against them Bettie Nov 2018 #221

I like that AOC is getting called out Cha Nov 2018 #224

Spot on, Cha. That criticism thing works both ways. nt Hekate Nov 2018 #227

Thank YOU! Cha Nov 2018 #228

I was unaware that the rules had changed Bettie Nov 2018 #254

First, you may be unclear on the parameters. Second, when a Dem wants to primary other Dems... Hekate Nov 2018 #258

LOL, yaw working overtime uponit7771 Nov 2018 #250

Nobody is 'demographically out of step.' Eric J in MN Nov 2018 #161

Democrats would do better to have candidates in ALL races, leaving no republican unchallenged liberal N proud Nov 2018 #177

I wish AOC would bring her sharp outfits, and her Instagram Live to WA-03 and help us defeat JBH. violetpastille Nov 2018 #199

Wonder how 2020 is going to work for her ... Historic NY Nov 2018 #180

Posters here used to be all for ousting "third-way" Dems... Algernon Moncrieff Nov 2018 #200

AOC & BS campaigned against Sharice Davids, Cha Nov 2018 #209

Makes perfect sense oberliner Nov 2018 #205

Kinda like when someone wanted Obama to be primaried... NurseJackie Nov 2018 #220

I remembered that person very well Gothmog Nov 2018 #223

Oh yeah.. BS wanted President Obama Primaried Cha Nov 2018 #226

Are ppl really going to get upset.. disillusioned73 Nov 2018 #240

With all due respect,those were normal times. I doubt he'd say that right now. Honeycombe8 Nov 2018 #260

who died and made her boss? samnsara Nov 2018 #251